WOMEN IN PRINT SEEKS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Industry association Women in Print is looking for three new board members, one of whom will not be associated with print, as three long standing members step aside.

The new members will replace a trio of existing board members: Sandy Aspinall, SA patron; Lisa Blachut, WA patron; and Kellie Northwood, honorary secretary, who will all step down this year.

Since registering as an independent entity, Women in Print has been operating under a constitution that prioritises its purpose and a commitment to board rotation and evolution.

The new board will include, for the first time, an independent board officer recruited through Women on Boards. Women in Print sees this as bringing an opportunity for the industry to take learnings from outside the print and communications landscape, and develop the association’s purpose further.

The new patron roles are open for application, to learn more or become involved in Women in Print, register at hello@womeninprint.com.au.

Sandy Aspinall, managing director, Creative Juice SA Recruitment, said, “I have enjoyed every minute of sitting on the Women in Print board, however, we must ensure that the thinking is shared, and new ideas are brought into the Women in Print community to continue its growth. As a long-standing member of the printing industry over the years and SA Patron since 2017, I will definitely miss being involved at patron and board level, however, I remain an avid supporter of Women in Print and whilst no longer the SA patron, I will still be involved and part of the community.”

Lisa Blachut, account director, Advance Press in Perth said, “I have been the WA Patron for almost seven years; it has been fantastic to be part of the community and build a strong network. Watching the evolution of the organisation over the past three years has been wonderful to see and I step back from the patron role with great confidence in the new appointments and incoming skills. I will of course, remain active in the WIP community and continue to drive the important messages of gender equity and gender equality for the women across the industry.”

Women in Print underwent a rebrand, independent registration and released a new strategic plan in 2020 under a secretariat arrangement with then The Real Media Collective. This was extended into the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA), which continues to this day. “Whilst I am stepping down from the honorary secretary role, the association will maintain its involvement in the managing of the secretariat. It is important for our industry to build positive communities and support for women across the industry as well as building access to upskilling or development programmes. How we focus on attracting women into the industry is important as our workforce evolves into a stronger gender equity environment,” commented Kellie Northwood, CEO, PVCA.